หัวใจ
hǔua-jai/hua̯˩˩˦.t͡ɕaj˧/
The English word heart is translated into Thai as หัวใจ (hǔua-jai). Wiktionary also lists ดวงใจ (duuang-jai) and หฤทัย (hà-rʉ́-tai).
Meaning: an organ (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| หัวใจ | hǔua-jai | /hua̯˩˩˦.t͡ɕaj˧/ |
| ดวงใจ | duuang-jai | /dua̯ŋ˧.t͡ɕaj˧/ |
| หฤทัย | hà-rʉ́-tai | /ha˨˩.rɯ˦˥.tʰaj˧/ /ha˨˩.rɯ˦˥.tʰaj˧.ja˦˥./ |
| ฤทัย | rʉ́-tai | /rɯ˦˥.tʰaj˧/ |
The term refers to the physical organ of the body as well as the metaphorical heart used to describe emotions. In many Thai idioms and compound words, the second part of the word, ใจ, is used alone to represent the heart, mind or feelings.
What does it mean word for word?
The word หัวใจ is a compound consisting of หัว, which means head and ใจ, which means heart or mind.
Which one should you use?
หัวใจ is the standard, everyday term used for both the physical organ and metaphorical meanings. ดวงใจ is a more poetic or romantic way to refer to the heart, often found in songs or literature. หฤทัย and its shorter form ฤทัย are highly formal or archaic terms used primarily in high literature or formal poetry.
How do you pronounce it?
hǔua-jai
Did you know?
- The poetic form ดวงใจ uses the classifier ดวง, which is the same word used for celestial bodies like the 'sun' or 'moon'.
- The formal terms หฤทัย and ฤทัย are direct descendants of the Sanskrit word 'hṛdaya', making them cognates with many formal terms in Hindi and other Indo-Aryan languages.
- While หัวใจ is the common word for 'heart', the word หัว can also mean 'bulb' or 'clove' when referring to items like garlic.
Examples in context
- เพียงทำตามหัวใจของคุณJust follow your heart.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of หัวใจ.Tatoeba #8687759 by pastelite, translation #17116 by CK
- เขามีหัวใจที่แข็งแรงมากkhao mi hua-chai thi khaeng-raeng makHe has a very strong heart.
- หมอกำลังตรวจหัวใจของฉันmhor kam-lang truat hua-chai khong chanThe doctor is checking my heart.
Example conversation
Chonlasit and Nicha are talking about health at a clinic.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitณิชา รู้สึกเจ็บที่หัวใจไหมNicha rusuek chep thi hua chai maiNicha, do you feel any pain in your heart?
- ณิชา Nichaไม่เจ็บค่ะ แต่รู้สึกเหนื่อยmai chep kha tae rusuek nueaiNo pain, but I feel tired.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitลองพักผ่อนให้มากๆ นะlong phak phon hai mak mak naTry to get plenty of rest.
- ณิชา Nichaขอบคุณที่เป็นห่วงค่ะkhop khun thi pen huang khaThank you for caring.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “heart” translations and entries หัวใจ, ดวงใจ, หฤทัย, ฤทัย, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ดวงใจ, ฤทัย, หฤทัย, หัวใจ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
